'Thin Air' by Richard K. Morgan is a hardboiled noir thriller set on a colonized Mars, following the story of Hakan Veil, an ex-government corporate killer trying to navigate the corrupt power structures of the Martian society. The plot is filled with violence, double-crosses, and political intrigue, reminiscent of a classic detective story but with a futuristic twist. The narrative style is gritty and dark, with minimal exposition and a focus on immersive world-building that transports readers to a bleak and brutal version of Mars.

The protagonist, Hakan Veil, finds himself entangled in a complex web of Martian and colonial politics, facing challenges ranging from illegal activities to high-level investigations. The book explores themes of corruption, power struggles, and morality in a setting that combines elements of science fiction, dystopia, and classic noir storytelling. Morgan's writing style is characterized by its realism, lack of exposition, and immersive depiction of a future world devoid of idealism and filled with gritty realism.

Characters:

The characters are complex and multifaceted, with the protagonist Hakan Veil depicted as a complex anti-hero. The supporting cast varies widely in background, displaying agency and depth, contributing to the narrative's rich character dynamics.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is gritty and immersive, exemplifying mastery in third-person narrative. The prose is evocative and graphic, using strong imagery and dialogue to effectively convey the story's intense themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative features a gritty blend of science fiction and mystery elements, revolving around the protagonist's journey through a violent, corporate-dominated landscape filled with unexpected twists. The story combines western and detective noir themes, revealing the protagonist's dark past and struggles within a corrupt society.

Setting:

The setting is on Mars, depicted as a lawless frontier with vivid descriptions of colonized environments. It explores socio-political issues within a Martian colony through immersive world-building that contrasts advanced technology with deep-rooted societal corruption.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast, with constant action that engages readers from the start. Despite occasional slow segments, the story maintains a rapid progression and builds to a satisfying climax.

IT WAS EARLY evening when I hit the Mariner Strip, and up in the Lamina they were trying again for rain. With limited success, I’d say. Got this thin, cold stop-start drizzle weeping down out of a pap...

Notes:

Thin Air is a gritty SciFi novel by Richard K. Morgan.

The story is set on an imperfectly colonized Mars, 300 years after human settlement began.

The protagonist, Hakan Veil, is a high-tech ninja and former corporate enforcer.

The book features immersive third-person point-of-view writing and a fast-paced narrative.

It includes themes of violence, explicit sex, and morally complex characters.

Morgan is recognized for his rich world-building, creating Mars as a character in itself with its own history.

The audiobook version is narrated by Colin Mace, who is praised for embodying the character of Veil.

Thin Air integrates advanced technology, such as a pseudoatmosphere called lamina.

Readers noted the novel's graphic descriptions and intense action sequences.

Veil, the main character, was bred for his role from childhood and possesses a sort of emotional detachment.

The book combines elements of noir detective stories, Westerns, and military science fiction.

Reviewers highlighted Morgan's skillful prose and complex character development.

The story contains various twists and a plot that keeps readers guessing until the end.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for 'Thin Air' include graphic violence, explicit sexual content, and themes of corruption and existential dread.

Has Romance?

There are romantic elements present in 'Thin Air', although they primarily focus on the complexities and challenges faced by the protagonist, Hakan Veil, involving his relationships and encounters with women.

From The Publisher:

An atmospheric tale of corruption and abduction set on Mars, from the author of the award-winning science fiction novel Altered Carbon, now an exciting new series from Netflix.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE GUARDIAN

Hakan Veil is an ex-corporate enforcer equipped with military-grade body tech that's made him a human killing machine. His former employers have abandoned him on a turbulent Mars where Earth-based overlords battle for profits and power amid a homegrown independence movement. But he's had enough of the red planet, and all he wants is a ticket back home-which is just what he's offered by the Earth Oversight organization, in exchange for being the bodyguard for an EO investigator. It's a beyond-easy gig for a heavy hitter like Veil . . . until it isn't.

When Veil's charge starts looking into the mysterious disappearance of a lottery winner, it stirs up a hornet's nest of intrigue and murder. And the deeper Veil is drawn into the game, the more long-buried secrets claw their way to the Martian surface. Now it's the expert assassin poised against powerful enemies hellbent on taking him down-by any means necessary.

Praise for Thin Air

"Kick-ass . . . Mixed in with the thriller-esque action and cyberpunk backdrop is a hard-boiled noir story complete with a twisting and turning plot that keeps readers on their toes." - Los Angeles Times

"Richard K. Morgan wants to destroy your Mars fantasies. . . . It's a grim vision, but one that Morgan finds far more plausible than the cheerful visions of plucky Mars colonists common in sci-fi ."- Wired

"A robotically enhanced Jack Reacher [in a] dazzlingly intricate game of political double- and triple-cross, spiced with tastily kinetic battle sequences." - The Guardian

"If you ever imagined that the core esthetics and themes of cyberpunk-lowlifes and high tech; corporate dominance; future noir; post-human evolution and cyborg adaptations; hardscrabble urban environments-were played out, Thin Air will set you straight, and kick your butt in the process. . . . Both kinematic and cinematic, [ Thin Air is] limned by Morgan with balletic precision and smashmouth grace." -Paul Di Filippo, Locus

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Thin Air

Richard K. Morgan